NHL Player News

Lundestrom will be out until at least early November after having offseason Achilles surgery, according to Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers on Sunday.

Lundestrom contributed four goals, eight assists, 53 shots on net, 35 blocked shots and 35 hits across 68 games for Columbus during the 2025-26 regular season. Once he is ready to make his 2026-27 debut, he will probably occupy a bottom-six role and see time on the penalty kill. Lundestrom's absence could help Luca Del Bel Belluz earn a roster spot with the Blue Jackets out of training camp.

Bedard (shoulder) signed a five-year, $75 million contract with Chicago on Saturday.

Bedard amassed 30 goals, 75 points and 226 shots on net in 69 games during the 2025-26 regular season. It was the final year of his entry-level contract, and he earned a significant pay increase. The 21-year-old forward will miss the start of the 2026-27 campaign after having surgery on his left shoulder. He suffered the injury while practicing in Vancouver on July 2 and underwent the procedure six days later. Bedard is expected to need four months to recover. Once he is back in the lineup, he will center the top line and occupy a spot on the first power-play unit.

Dach signed a one-year, $3.6 million contract with the Canadiens on Thursday.

Dach had eight goals, 15 points, 31 PIM and 53 hits in 37 regular-season outings with Montreal in 2025-26. The 25-year-old has struggled to live up to his potential as a top-six power forward, and his lengthy injury history has certainly been part of the problem. He might surpass his career high of 38 points if he stays relatively healthy this campaign, but he's played in fewer than 60 games in each of the past four regular seasons.

McMichael signed a six-year, $40.5 million contract with the Blues on Thursday.

McMichael was a restricted free agent after completing his two-year, $4.2 million contract. St. Louis acquired him from Washington on June 23 as part of the trade that sent Jordan Kyrou to the Capitals. The 25-year-old McMichael had 14 goals and 46 points in 78 regular-season appearances with Washington in 2025-26, which was down from 26 goals and 57 points in 82 outings during the 2024-25 regular season. He's expected to open the upcoming campaign in a middle-six capacity and should receive some power-play ice time.

Zegras signed a four-year, $36.5 million contract with the Flyers on Wednesday.

Zegras is coming off a career year after posting 26 goals and 67 points in 81 regular-season games in 2025-26. The 25-year-old forward is expected to continue filling a top-six role with a spot on the first power-play unit in 2026-27. Zegras should continue to be a reliable fantasy forward regardless of if he's able to stick at center or ultimately moves to the wing later in the contract.

Perfetti signed five-year, $30 million contract with the Jets on Wednesday.

Perfetti was a restricted free agent. He had 12 goals, 32 points, 20 PIM, 54 hits and 33 blocks in 68 regular-season appearances with Winnipeg in 2025-26. That was down from 50 points during the 2024-25 regular season, but it was also his fourth consecutive campaign with at least 30 points. He's still just 24 years old and has the potential to establish himself as a solid top-six forward.

Bjorck signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Winnipeg on Monday.

During the 2025-26 campaign with Djurgardens IF of the SHL, Bjorck had six goals and 15 points in 42 regular-season appearances before adding one goal and two assists in three playoff outings. Winnipeg selected him with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. The 18-year-old will be in the mix for a middle-six role with the Jets during training camp.

Krebs signed a four-year, $18 million contract with Buffalo on Monday.

Krebs set career highs in the 2025-26 regular season with 12 goals and 39 points in 82 games. He also added 93 shots on net, 201 hits and 78 PIM. Krebs mostly occupied a top-six role, but he might settle into a bottom-six spot in the 2026-27 campaign. However, he could move up the depth chart if injuries occur.

Abols (ankle) signed a three-year contract with SC Bern of Switzerland's National League on Monday.

Abols had three goals, 10 points, 43 shots on net, 49 hits and 24 blocked shots across 42 appearances with Philadelphia during the 2025-26 regular season. According to Jackie Spiegel of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Abols sat out the final 35 games of the regular season and all 10 of the Flyers' playoff contests after he suffered a fractured fibula, a torn syndesmosis joint and a deltoid ligament injury against the Rangers on Jan. 17.

Dach signed a two-year, $2.4 million contract with Edmonton on Sunday.

Dach compiled five goals, 13 points, 58 shots on net, 219 hits and 52 PIM across 61 regular-season appearances between Edmonton and Chicago in 2025-26. As a member of the Oilers in the 2026-27 campaign, he should occupy a bottom-six role and could see time on the second power-play unit.